Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-14
FRUIT GROWING.
The Cultivation OF Fruit in East Texas
as a Certain anu Paying
Business.
An Interesting and Timely Discussion OF
the Subj,cS by Hon. ". S.
HerndoD.
TYLER Democrat and Reporter.

part of Texas, and merits more than &
surface notice. The flaming class, south,
has been largely engaged since the war
in growing cotton, corr, wheat, tobacco
and sugsr, and these staples must be
continued in many localities, regardless
Of the profit thereon, for want OF sdapta-
ton to the other crops. II the cost OF
production and prices for these products
furnish G safe criterion for q fair judg-
ment, we must conclude that for some of
these staples there has been and con-
tiuues TO be over production. The low
prices for products has produced stagna-
ton and duilness among large classes OF
labor engaged directly in, or who are in
some sort dependent for living on the
products Of the field. Some have sug-
gested plans for relief, through govern
ment aid others, less acreage Of some
products ald an increase Of others; snd
still others propose to fad relief in dis
pensing with middle men and uniting sill
producers Of field products in alliances
and associations.
Some help may be derived from one or
all CT these suggestions, still they are
DowerlesS to afford the relief desired
The laws OF supply and demand must
continue to exercise the most potent in
| f1ence in adjusting such difficulties. l.
does not require much thought to see that
I the entire country is adapted to the
successful growth Of one staple, such IS
core, wheat or cotton, and all farmers
engaged fully in growing this, that there
must be over production, 6 large surplus,
and low prices. The * quel of such q
condition is stsgnation in business. 1t
may be safely said that the farming class
: here is not the most con'ented. It exhibits
restl ssness, as is shown by its numerous
clubs, alliances and associations The
resolutions emaueting from these ascot
atoms will hardly fail to Impress you
with the idea that they are not very pros
porous and happy.
It is our duty to self and the country
to better our condition, grow richer,
more prosperous, and better able to eX-
ercise proper influence among men,
and thus elevate our citizenship and
social life. The wise man will change
his opinions and his business too upon
sufficient truthful evidence, and thus
often correct past errors, and become q
more useful man. This preface, by way
of introducing new crop, full Of promise
to the farming class.
All the leading staples above named
grow almost to perfection in Texas, and
three of them, corn, wheat and cotton,
will do we'll in nearly every part OF the
state, and they constitute The leading
crop of the country We need sn inter-
mediate crop, lesding product that all
can produce, put into market early for a
good prize. Lessen the production OF the
old staples, increase their price, and thus
make room for the new product. How
ever desirable this may be, still there is
no such crop that has been or likely will
be introduced in this state, owing to it's
soil and climatic conditions. But such a
crop has been introduced and successfully
grown in East Texas, and therefore offers
the relief so much desired in that section.
FRUIT GROWING
is not common to all of Texas; it is not
general or possible in all of East Texas
but experience In the business has de-
monstrated that it is safe and successful
in part of East Texas. This business
Is confined to q narrow strip CT country,
about 100 miles in length, running nearly
north and south, and about fifty miles in
width from east to west, embracing parts
of the counties of Anderson, Cherokee,
Henderson,, Rusk, Smith, VanZandt,
Rains, Wood, Upshur, Gregg, Harrison,
Camp and Marion.
You might safely estimate 5000 square
miles within this strip, and 100000
sores of land. If YOU deduct the acres in
this strip uOsuited to, or that will not be
put into this business, say the streams,
overlooked lands, lakes, rocky hills, towns,
residences, farms devoted to other uses,
bottom lands, etc ssy 100000 acres,
you have left for fruit growing 100000
acres.
Smith county is almost centrally To-
Gated in this strip of fruit growing land,
and has taken the lead go far in the bust,
ness These lands are situated in the
great iron district Of Texas, are generally
undulsting, and contain more or less
iron in them. Some of them, from actual
assay, possess Is per cent. of metallic
iren in the soil-the major part much
less.
The soils are of different colors-red,
gray, chocolate and dsrk-free and pro-
ductive, and from one to four feet deep,
to firm red clay beneath them, holding
the moisture during the dry season. The
imber is good but not heavy; the water
is pure 4reestone; living streams sbun-
dant for oil purposes, including irriga-
ton # desired, in many localities
Quite all the list Of products grown
la the north temperate zone from wheat
to sugar do well here; but peaches, pears,
apples, figs, cherries, apricots, berries OF
all kinds, and grapes grow to perfection.
The trees ard shrubs are easily cultiva-
ted, very thrifty, and live to great sge.
Peach trees are the shortest Of life
grated trees live and bear twelve to
twenty years; seedlings, treated well, will
bear till thirty years old. Apples Will
live longer Pear trees fifty years of age
may be found in this section that appear
in their prime. We cannot estimate their
age under fair conditions. Grapes are
much like the pear trees for age; we have
vines in the city Of Tyler over thirty years
OLD that bear well.
The quality Of the fruit is very good
| For size and beauty our fruits have stead
lily led IN prizes a. the fairs. Our peaches
are doubtless the best and nearest to per.
lection Of any that are grown. They com
mand the highest prices in the markets.
To avoid prolixity of detail IN this ar.
| ticle, will present some conclusions
which are fairly established by expert
ence in this business for the past twenty
ears, and refer to gentlemen who reside
| here, widely known IS fruit growers and
handlers, who will answer all inquirerf
| for truth:
L. That the territory named has pro
| duced and does now grow the fruits de
scribed, successfully and to great per